NC state auditor: Hurricane Helene base camps cost more than $111 million over 7 months

The base camps that provided aid to western North Carolina residents during Hurricane Helene cost the state over $111 million, according to a report published Tuesday by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor.

The report states 55 base camps were in operation during a seven-month period following the storm in September 2024. The expenses associated with the base camps cost roughly $516,592 per day, the report found.

The base camps, run by North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) and Texas-based disaster response coordinator SLSCO LTD. (SLS) provided water and meals, restrooms, showers and laundry services for people impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

According to State Auditor Dave Boliek's report, "a one-night stay in a single bed cost roughly $800, and individual meals were $41.67."

The report explains:

"Rather than charging for actual consumption, SLS invoiced meals based on the anticipated number of people the facility would support. The options included 155, 250, or 750 people consuming three meals per day, per base camp, with corresponding weekly charges of $135,625, $218,750, or $656,250, respectively."

Site coordinators were paid $12,100 per week, and general staff were paid $87.30 per hour, according to the report, which also states overtime rates were 1.5 times standard pay, resulting in an overtime hourly rate of $130.95 for general workers."